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Written By: Kyle Starks
Illustrated By: Fran Galan
Lettered By: Pat Brosseau
When it comes to comic book storytelling there is this constant battle between story and action. Sure, all mediums have similar struggles. However, with their episodic nature and limited time to tell stories, the comic medium has the biggest task to overcome. With Pine and Merrimac Kyle Starks and Fran Galan have shown the benefit of leading with character first. The first issue allowed us to understand Linnea and Parker, their world, and what drives them. In issue two that drive has taken them into a situation well beyond their control.
In this issue, Linnea and Parker continue their search for the missing girl despite their code of never taking missing person cases. They know she was dropped off on an island, but they lack information and resources. Luckily their business neighbor is all too willing to help. This again goes back to how well the first issue set up what was to come. Two issues in and we have a couple of recurring characters that speak to the larger world our protagonists have lived. One of those characters is Abigail Byrne, who does her part to play comedic relief as the newest hirer to Linnea and Parker’s favorite coffee shop. Considering how serious this issue got by the end those laughs helped sustain me through the darker moments.
Fran Galan’s art also shines in these coffee house scenes. I love crime comics but very often the style of art we get is far too reminiscent of Sean Phillips. That gritty realistic style is propelled by realism. Galan’s style goes in a different direction. There is more classic cartoony with his lines especially when it comes to evoking emotion through facial expressions. I feel like he must be having a ball drawing Abigail Byrne because the way he makes her face dance with pure rage is such a joy to see.
The colors are also quite effective. The collor palette has a bit of a soft look as if he was using color pencil to fill the scene. One of my favorite panels in the entire issue was the boat creeping out of the fog as it approached the island. Illuminated by the moon all we see is a small silhouette and minor ripples in the water. If you did not know any better you might think it was a scene of tranquil peace, but considering the challenges that are coming it is simply the calm before the storm.
Much of this issue is the investigation of the island as Linnea and Parker quickly discover they have gotten into something much bigger than they first imagined. Rarely are these things smaller than they first appear. Within this island sequence it is jumping from one fire to the next–sometimes literally. On the excitement level–it works. Galan is skillful in constructing action sequences and none of them are quite like the last one. From Parker disarming a goon who has a gun pointed at his back, to a running punch that would make Roman Reigns blush it never becomes repetitive.
However, considering how important this island is destined to be we do not get a great sense of its locations. Due to the limited backgrounds, it is difficult to tell what the landscape is or even the general size. Part of that was due to the late-night excursion the limited eye site and the in-and-out nature of their mission. When you have a chase sequence though it is nice to have a good understanding of the location.
One of my favorite elements of the first issue was how it played against the normal gender roles we get with private eye stories. Women rarely are there to do much beyond drive the male protagonist and give him something to achieve. They play their part, but it is only a part. Here Parker is the support character, as Linnea is the one with the unresolved issues that are driving the narrative. It was a subtle way to comment on the genre without making it the point of the story. Due to the nature of this issue, we did not get as much of that exploration. Hopefully, issue three will ship the balance.
Overall issue three is an exciting romp that gives us a small inkling of the major problems that lie ahead.
Final Score: 3.5 / 5
